A Randomised Controlled Clinical Trial of Memory Specificity Training (MEST) for Depression

Study Results

Results pending

The study team has not published outcome measurements, participant flow, or safety data for this trial yet. Check back later for updates.

Basic Information

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Recruitment Status

COMPLETED

Clinical Phase

NA

Total Enrollment

60 participants

Study Classification

INTERVENTIONAL

Study Start Date

2013-07-31

Study Completion Date

2016-10-31

Brief Summary

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Depression involves the tendency to recall overgeneral personal memories, a phenomenon which has been linked to numerous adverse psychological outcomes. The purpose of this study is to investigate whether a group-based Memory Specificity Training (MEST) programme improves outcomes in depression, and how this compares to an education and support control group. The primary aim is to examine whether MEST, which involves repeated practice retrieving specific autobiographical memories reduces depressive symptoms immediately post-treatment, and whether this is maintained 3 months after treatment. The secondary objective of this trial is to examine the role of hypothesised cognitive processes (ie., rumination, executive control, cognitive avoidance) which may underlie improvements in depression and memory.

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Detailed Description

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Conditions

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Major Depressive Disorder Depressive Symptoms

Study Design

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Allocation Method

RANDOMIZED

Intervention Model

PARALLEL

Primary Study Purpose

TREATMENT

Blinding Strategy

SINGLE

Outcome Assessors

Study Groups

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Memory Specificity Training

Five weekly one-hour sessions of memory specificity training administered in groups of 5-8 participants.

Group Type EXPERIMENTAL

Memory Specificity Training

Intervention Type BEHAVIORAL

This intervention is a manualised, structured treatment delivered over 5 x 60 minute sessions to groups of 5-8 individuals. This treatment involves repeated practice of retrieving specific autobiographical memories in response to positive, negative and neutral cue words. There is a single psychoeducation component in the first session about memory difficulties common in depression which provides the rationale for this treatment. The training is supplemented by weekly homework practice.

Education and Support

Five weekly one-hour sessions of an education-and-discussion supportive intervention, administered in groups of 5-8 participants.

Group Type ACTIVE_COMPARATOR

Education and Support

Intervention Type BEHAVIORAL

The education-and-support comparison condition is matched with the experimental arm for length and format (ie., 5 x 60 minute weekly sessions in groups of 5-8 individuals). Groups receive a single psychoeducation component where information about depression is provided. This is followed by non-directive support where participants are encouraged to raise different kinds of events that occur each week for discussion in the group. The sessions are supplemented by a homework diary where participants will be invited to note down an event that occurs each day, which may be positive, negative, or benign and non-emotional in nature. This material will provide the basis for discussion in the weekly group meetings.

Interventions

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Memory Specificity Training

This intervention is a manualised, structured treatment delivered over 5 x 60 minute sessions to groups of 5-8 individuals. This treatment involves repeated practice of retrieving specific autobiographical memories in response to positive, negative and neutral cue words. There is a single psychoeducation component in the first session about memory difficulties common in depression which provides the rationale for this treatment. The training is supplemented by weekly homework practice.

Intervention Type BEHAVIORAL

Education and Support

The education-and-support comparison condition is matched with the experimental arm for length and format (ie., 5 x 60 minute weekly sessions in groups of 5-8 individuals). Groups receive a single psychoeducation component where information about depression is provided. This is followed by non-directive support where participants are encouraged to raise different kinds of events that occur each week for discussion in the group. The sessions are supplemented by a homework diary where participants will be invited to note down an event that occurs each day, which may be positive, negative, or benign and non-emotional in nature. This material will provide the basis for discussion in the weekly group meetings.

Intervention Type BEHAVIORAL

Eligibility Criteria

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Inclusion Criteria

* Principal diagnosis of Major Depressive Disorder
* History of more than one previous depressive episode
* Current diagnosis of a Major Depressive Episode
* Depressive symptoms rated in the mild-severe range (\> 13 on the BDI-II)
* Memory specificity \< .70 (as assessed on the AMT)

Exclusion Criteria

* Head trauma
* Organic brain damage
* Secondary diagnosis of another affective disorder
* Psychosis
* Current drug or alcohol abuse or dependence
* A diagnosed Axis II disorder

Minimum Eligible Age

18 Years

Maximum Eligible Age

65 Years

Eligible Sex

ALL

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No